Claire Della’s journey is heartfelt and entirely relatable to children who experience big emotions
Presented by: Big Family Weekend
Reviewed: 20 May, 2023
Claire Della and the Moon is a beautiful and creative contemporary fairytale, with morals waiting for children and parents alike. Ellen Graham and Jamie Hornsby from Madness of Two productions co-wrote and perform in the play. Together they recount the imaginative adventures of a young girl overwhelmed with emotions.
As the audience enters, Graham and Hornsby sit on the stage and quietly play alongside a large wooden toy-box. Graham as Claire Della rummages through it, finding a space helmet and softly glowing hand sized moon. Her face brightens as she shows Hornsby. In his role as Narrator, Hornsby explains that when they were younger, Claire Della and her brother John loved playing together. They often stargazed and John taught her about the universe, the stars, and the moon. But recently, John has been fighting with Claire Della. She ends up hiding in the cupboard, desperate to find a quiet space where she can be calm.
One night while her family is asleep, Claire Della constructs a towering ladder and climbs to the moon. She spends her days catching shooting stars, jumping from one asteroid to another, collecting moon rocks, and enjoying her quiet. But eventually, she begins to miss her family.
She befriends Laika the space dog, a delightfully raggedy puppet operated by Hornsby. Together Claire Della and Laika assemble a makeshift rocket using leftover debris from past lunar landings. But will they have the courage it takes to fly back to earth?
Graham’s mannerisms and speech is not childish or simplified, but the big emotions she experiences as Claire Della are entirely relatable to her young audience. She offers them a tangible heroine. Hornsby excels as John, the Narrator, and Laika’s puppeteer. He has a resounding voice and kind manner, prompting the story along at the perfect pace. His original score must also be commended.
Families can utilise the story and language of Claire Della and the Moon in future conversations, or simply sit back and enjoy the rocket ship ride together. Madness of Two have created a timeless and endearing production.
For families and children aged from nine, although preschoolers and above will find plenty to enjoy within Claire Della’s adventure.
Reviewed by Nicola Woolford
Photo credit: Adam Lemmey
Venue: Goodwood Theatre and Studios
Season: ended
Duration: 55 minutes
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